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Felix
Pedro, Prospector
born Felice Pedroni in Trignano, Italy
We know via stories Felice shared with family and friends that he
enjoyed times of solitude, that he was adventuresome and daring, that he often
hiked the mountains near his home and that whether for fun or survival,
he hunted small animals like hare and fox. He had weathered the harsh
climate, backbreaking work and the bleak years of his boyhood with a hope
and determination, that for him, life would be kinder in a new land. He
set sail in 1881 for America where older brother Fabiano now resided in
Illinois. Hard work was no stranger to the Pedroni family and working for
the mines or for the railroad provided the families a future. Within a few
years he joined the westward migration. His brother Domenico also felt
this call and worked his way west to Washington State where he found
comfort in the green coastal valley near Puget Sound and in the foothills
of stately Mt. Rainier. While Domenico spread his agrarian roots in the
Puyallup valley, his restless younger brother Felice was always on the
path to adventure.
Unlike other miners, he did not drink or gamble. He worked hard,
making his way across the country, mining coal in Illinois, Colorado,
Utah, Oregon and Carbonado, Washington. From there he went to British
Columbia in 1883, and then in 1894 tried his luck in the Yukon where
Felice Pedroni became known as “Felix Pedro”.
Used
with permission from Donna Salter Mullen from FELIX PEDRO: His Fame and
His Pedroni Family © 2002
“Late In June, 1901 Pedro and Gilmore started from Eagle Creek in the
Circle district carrying with them a complete outfit exclusive of tents.
They had two horses on which to pack their outfit, which, it is judged,
puts the weight at about 400 pounds. This outfit was, of necessity,
mostly food since very little “living off the country” can be done during
the summer months in Alaska.
Following the high divide from Circle to Fish Creek the two had
encountered fairly easy going. The ridge was for the greater part above
the timberline and it was fairly dry. When following the creek from Fox
downward it was difficult traveling. The trail had to be chopped out for
the horses to get through and the wet swamps were infested with hordes of
mosquitoes. Once in crossing Goldstream one of their precious pack horses
was almost lost.
Following Goldstream for about thirty miles, they reached the foot of
Ester Dome, about one month after leaving Eagle Creek. Here a party of
four men with pack-horses joined them. These men had followed Pedro and
Gilmore out from Eagle Creek believing that the partners were en-route to
a “find”.
Ordinarily Pedro and Gilmore had no wish for company, but now they
were pleased with the addition to their party. Provisions were running
low and a new supply was welcome. In addition, the trail had to be cut
for every foot of the way and streams and swampy portions bridged. This
was difficult, tedious and slow work for two men while with six men the
process was fairly rapid.
Swinging off Goldstream to the left the party climbed to the top of
Ester Dome with the idea that from that point they could survey the
country and make plans for further progress. While they were on the Dome
they sighted a boat coming slowly up the Chena Slough. With the aid of
field glasses the name on her pilot house – Lavelle Young – was readable.
This boat they recognized as being a trading boat belonging to E.T.
Barnette. As they watched, she tied up at a bend in the Slough and the
crew made preparations for an extended stop,
The prospectors needed provisions badly, and here was a precious
opportunity of obtaining some. They immediately set about laying out a
course over the flats to the boat.
Having determined a course of travel, the party come down from Ester
Dome and at nightfall camped near Ester Creek. It should be noted that in
crossing Ester Creek the party passed over and camped on what has proved
to be probably the richest shallow ground in the whole Fairbanks
district. Millions of dollars in gold were passed over by them in the
course of one day.”
Genevieve
Alice Parker – A thesis submitted to the University of Alaska for the
degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology and Mining (1929) with direct
quotes from Thomas Gilmore. © University of Alaska
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